Kids' Turkey and Cream Cheese Spread Bento Box

Bento boxes make lunchtime fun for kids and adults: This one has turkey, homemade cream cheese spread, crackers, carrots, grapes, and apples.

• Preparation Time: 45 mins
• Total Time: 45 mins
• Calories: 689 Calories

Ingredients

• 1 pinch salt
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• 2 teaspoons minced onion
• 2 tablespoons cream cheese, softened
• 6 toothpicks
• 2 tablespoons shredded carrot
• 8 slices deli turkey breast
• 10 round carrot slices, 1/4-inch thick
• 10 jumbo pitted black olives
• 10 small pitted black olives
• 10 toothpicks
• 2 teaspoons chopped pimento peppers
• 2 teaspoons chopped celery
• 1 green apple, sliced
• 1 red apple, sliced
• 6 thin slices cucumber, sliced lengthwise into wide ribbons
• 6 slices tomato, cut in half
• 8 round crackers
• 0.5 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
• 0.75 teaspoon mayonnaise
• 0.5 carrot, sliced into rounds
• 0.5 cup grapes, divided

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Cut a slit from top to bottom into the side of each jumbo olive. Ease the olive open slightly to insert about 1 teaspoon of cream cheese, forming a penguin belly.

Step 2

Cut a small triangle-shaped notch out of 9 carrot rounds to form feet; press 1 triangular piece (trimming if necessary) into each small olive to create the beak.

Step 3

Thread each jumbo olive onto a toothpick lengthwise through the existing holes. Anchor the toothpick onto a carrot slice (line belly up with feet); set a small olive on top (beak facing forward). Place penguins on a plate; refrigerate until assembly.

Step 4

Combine shredded carrot, onion, pimento peppers, and celery in a bowl. Mix 2 tablespoons softened cream cheese, 1 teaspoon lemon juice, mayonnaise, and salt in a separate bowl; beat until fluffy. Fold carrot mixture into cream cheese; mix well. Refrigerate at least 1 hour before use.

Step 5

Toss green apple slices, red apple slices, and 1 tablespoon lemon juice together in a bowl.

Step 6

Cut carrot rounds into decorative shapes using vegetable cutters. Wrap in a wet paper towel and place in a plastic bag; refrigerate until assembly.

Step 7

Pat cucumber slices dry. Place 1 half-slice tomato at the end of a cucumber slice; roll up together and secure with a toothpick.

Step 8

Arrange 1/2 the carrot shapes in a bento box. Place 1/2 the sandwich spread in a small silicone baking cup; place 4 crackers in another cup. Arrange 1/2 the green apple slices, red apple slices, and grapes. Add 5 cream cheese penguins, 4 turkey slices, and 3 cucumber-tomato rolls. Use remaining ingredients to create a second bento box. Refrigerate until ready to eat.